Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to lead the development, design, and implementation of complex industrial finishing and aqueous cleaning systems. As a Controls Engineer, you will take full ownership of electrical and controls aspects of projects, from initial design through installation, testing, and commissioning. You will work in a small, family-owned organization that provides hybrid flexibility and serves a diverse customer base across North America, including automotive suppliers, tool manufacturers, and powder coating operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead PLC programming from scratch for industrial finishing and aqueous cleaning systems using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, and Omron.
• Lead HMI programming and interface design to ensure intuitive and reliable operator control of equipment.
• Design electrical control panels and systems, currently using DraftSight by SolidWorks, and ensure compliance with project requirements and standards.
• Develop and review control system designs, including schematics, layouts, and wiring diagrams, to support manufacturing and installation.
• Provide project management support and hold responsibility for controls-related activities after the project has been designed, built, and sold.
• Oversee Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and final run-offs at the facility prior to equipment shipment to customer sites.
• Lead robot startup and commissioning activities, ensuring proper integration with PLCs, HMIs, and other control systems.
• Travel to customer sites to support FATs, commissioning, and final system handover as needed.
• Assist floor fabrication teams to ensure equipment is assembled correctly according to electrical and control designs.
• Troubleshoot electrical and control system issues during build, testing, and commissioning phases, and implement effective solutions.
• Address warranty-related controls issues for customers and provide remote or on-site support as needed.
• Perform customer courtesy visits when required to maintain strong relationships and gather feedback on system performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including mechanical design and fabrication, to ensure cohesive project execution.
• Document control system designs, programming changes, and testing results to support future maintenance and upgrades.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in PLC programming from scratch, including development, testing, and commissioning of industrial control systems.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Experience with Mitsubishi PLCs and Omron control systems.
• Strong HMI programming experience, including design and configuration of operator interfaces.
• Demonstrated expertise in electrical panel design and layout, currently utilizing DraftSight by SolidWorks or similar tools.
• Proficiency in electrical design and control system design, including schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Experience with AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical or comparable electrical CAD tools.
• Experience in controls engineering, including automation, robotics integration, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to perform robot startup and commissioning within automated systems.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills for complex machinery and control systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel for Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), commissioning, and on-site customer support.
• Capability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities from design through installation and support.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with industrial finishing systems or aqueous cleaning systems is beneficial.
• Experience supporting automotive suppliers, tool manufacturers, or powder coating operations is a plus.
• Familiarity with small, fast-paced, family-owned business environments.
• Strong communication skills to interact with customers, fabrication teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to provide clear documentation and updates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Comfort working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary project team.

Work Environment

This position follows a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some weekend work possible when supporting customer sites or project deadlines. The role offers hybrid flexibility, allowing a mix of office and remote work where appropriate. You will spend approximately 70% of your time at a desk performing design, programming, and documentation tasks, and about 30% of your time on the shop floor supporting equipment assembly, testing, and troubleshooting. Travel is required for Factory Acceptance Tests, commissioning, and on-site customer support. You will work with tools such as DraftSight by SolidWorks, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, Rockwell Automation platforms, Allen-Bradley and Mitsubishi PLCs, and various HMI and robotics technologies in a hands-on industrial environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $125000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Indianapolis,IN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.